Dynamic 3D Scene Interface with Compass Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data visualization techniques struggle with navigating and interpreting dense three-dimensional data sets, particularly when projected onto two-dimensional screens, leading to misinterpretation of relationships and loss of semantic content due to overcrowding and cumbersome annotation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that projects clusters in a three-dimensional scene into a two-dimensional display with a compass interface, allowing for controlled navigation and labeling of cluster spines, enabling intuitive exploration and search functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If clusters are densely packed in three-dimensional space to represent large data sets, then data density and information capacity are improved, but navigability and interpretability deteriorate due to overcrowding and difficulty in distinguishing individual clusters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the three-dimensional cluster space into multiple two-dimensional display planes arranged in a spherical configuration. Each plane shows a subset of clusters from a specific angular region, allowing users to navigate through different portions of the data space without encountering the overcrowding problem in a single dense view. This segmentation of the data representation across multiple planes resolves the contradiction between displaying high data density and maintaining navigability.
2Ease of operation
If text labels are annotated directly on the two-dimensional display to aid comprehension, then usability is improved, but display space is reduced and labels may occlude cluster visualizations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves text labels from the two-dimensional display plane to the three-dimensional spherical surface surrounding the display. Labels are positioned on the outer surface of the sphere at locations corresponding to their associated clusters, allowing them to be viewed in three-dimensional space without occupying screen real estate. This dimensional transition enables labels to be displayed without occluding cluster visualizations, resolving the contradiction between usability and display space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the display is reoriented to show different perspectives of three-dimensional data, then comprehensive data exploration is improved, but user orientation and spatial relationships deteriorate due to shuffling of cluster positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spherical coordinate system as an intermediary framework that maintains stable spatial relationships between clusters while allowing flexible viewing angles. The spherical arrangement preserves angular distances and relative positions of clusters regardless of the viewing perspective, acting as a mediator that enables comprehensive data exploration without causing orientation confusion. This spherical intermediary structure resolves the contradiction between adaptability for data exploration and stability for user orientation.
4Ease of manufacture
If two-dimensional projection is used to display three-dimensional data on conventional screens, then display compatibility is improved, but dimensional information and spatial relationships are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds multiple two-dimensional display planes within a three-dimensional spherical structure, creating a nested configuration where each 2D plane represents a specific angular sector of the 3D space. This nesting allows the system to maintain three-dimensional spatial relationships while using compatible two-dimensional display technology. The spherical arrangement preserves angular distances and spatial relationships that would otherwise be lost in conventional 2D projections, resolving the contradiction between display compatibility and information preservation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing a dynamic user interface for a dense three-dimensional scene is presented. Clusters are placed in a three-dimensional scene arranged proximal to each other such cluster to form a cluster spine. Each cluster includes one or more concepts. Each cluster spine is projected into a two-dimensional display relative to a stationary perspective. Controls operating on a view of the cluster spines in the display are presented. A compass logically framing the cluster spines within the display is provided. A label to identify one such concept in one or more of the cluster spines appearing within the compass is generated. A plurality of slots in the two-dimensional display positioned circumferentially around the compass is defined. Each label is assigned to the slot outside of the compass for the cluster spine having a closest angularity to the slot.